Ellie Alexander

DEEP DIVE

Interior Design - BA (Hons)

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)

ellieaalexander@gmail.com

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CV-final-2025.pdf (372.35 KB)

Rendered section cutting through key pace highlighting the light from the roof windows

Awards

ESALA Interior Design Prize 2025

Project description

“Deep Dive” creates a welcoming space for families, offering a interactive experience designed to meet the unique sensory needs of both children and adults with autism in Edinburgh. Located in the former Infirmary Street Baths. This reimagined community asset helps families relax without judgment, connect with others, and build a supportive community in a safe environment

Autistic individuals often face sensory challenges, both hyper- and hypo sensitive. The experience centre offers tailored, calming environments to support well-being, with benefits extending to families through ongoing support and care.

Embracing biophilic design, the space brings natural elements indoors, inspired by local surroundings, to create a calming atmosphere that reduces stress and enhances user experience. It supports emotional exploration through innovative wet and dry sensory environments, blending historic architecture with modern technology.

With strong transport links and a central city location, “Deep Dive” builds on the building’s past as a public health asset, evolving it into a hub for connection, support, and sensory relief. This unique environment offers families a welcoming place to return to, helping them navigate the often-overwhelming world with comfort and community.

Project team

Ellie Alexander

Existing Site Information

Address: 10 Infirmary St, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, Dovecot studio

Listing: B listed. Listed on 11 January 1989

Year of design: 1885

Original type: Public Baths

Designer: Architect Robert Morham

Year of Refurbishment: 2009

Existing Site

Existing Plans and Sections

Users

Today the world is connected especially through transport, social media and social groups allowing for people to build connections, make friends and socialise. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many people with disabilities due to social isolation, judgement, and accessibility. When living with learning disabilities being in an over stimulation environment can not only cause distress but the fear of not being like the public can have an impact on their social interactions.

A survey taken in 2019 by the SCLD found 52% of the individuals said they occasionally sometimes or often feel lonely. This is due to not being able to fully participate in society and not feel welcome. Individuals with disabilities face may physical and emotional barriers. Often families miss out on spending quality time together in public settings due to the general public’s ignorance and misunderstanding of a situation.